Ken McKinney Sr., age 81, went home to the Lord December 8, 2025. Memorial Mass was held on December 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM, at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Ken born September 20, 1944, the youngest boy of 5 children. Preceded death by his wife, Carolina McKinney, his parents Alva James McKinney & Olive Helen McKinney, his brothers Gary McKinney, Mickie McKinney, and his sister Billie Caudel.

Ken was born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon and lived here his entire life. Ken loved the beauty of the mountains and the outdoors. Ken had a rough childhood, but he made the best of his gifts and was a successful man.

Ken lost his mom in a tragic accident at the young age of 14. He loved his mom dearly, which he never truly recovered emotionally to the loss of his mom; he was absolutely broken hearted. At age 14 he had to grow up fast. He worked as a fire fighter one summer, age 16, to earn money to buy school clothes. He told the fire district he was 18 so he could work. With the loss of their mom, Ken always looked after his sister Bonnie, who was 22 months younger than him. Aunt Bonnie has fond memories of them walking to school; Ken with his long legs and her in her small stature; she always felt like she was running.

Ken met Carolina at age 18 and they were married at the age of 19. Carolina was the love of his life; they were married 61 years. Carolina's Uncle John sent them $150 to get married but they needed the money to buy a car, so they bought their first car, a 2-door Chevy hard top, Bel Air. This was the beginning of Ken's love of cars - he loved cars which made Carolina crazy. He always wanted a car. A car to fix up, to rebuild and make beautiful. He could rebuild a car from the bottom up. All the way from the mechanics to the upholstery to the paint.

Ken worked for the Railroad for 37 years. Ken and Carolina raised four children, Ken Jr., Olivia, Julie, & John. They were so proud of all their hard-working children. Ken was a Track Foreman for the Railroad, a great responsibility of not only keeping the men safe (which he often said it was like babysitting 40 men) but making sure of the safety of the work performed by the men. Ken was a perfectionist - after he had to retire from the Railroad on a medical leave, he took up golfing and wood working, as well as helping Carolina care for their six grandchildren so they would not have to go to a daycare. Ken's woodworking craftsmanship was exceptional. He made beautiful frames, pictures of wildlife, wooden boxes, cabinets, etc. He also taught his daughter Julie how to use all the tools. Julie has many special memories of her dad teaching her with her mom at their side making sure Julie did not get hurt. All six of their grandchildren were very close to Gram and Gramp. Their home was like Grand Central Station. Someone was always there checking on them and visiting with them.

Ken loved taking his boys, Kenny and John, hunting and fishing. John remembers one time when Ken carved out on a tree, Ken + Carolina with a heart. Ken taught his boys to hunt and fish and even taught some of the grandchildren.

Ken was a quiet man. He never spoke poorly of anybody. He truly believed and lived... if you do not have anything good to say, then don't say anything.

A fun memory Kevin has of Ken:

Kevin went to the house to ask for Julie's hand ... Ken was chopping wood with an axe in this hand. He told Kevin, there will be a time when you want to hit her in anger... Ken said you better not ever hit her as he was slamming the axe down on the wood. Kevin will never forget it, but I get that was the point.

When Ken lost the love of his life in April, he never really recovered. He missed his wife dearly and just wanted to be with her. Ken and Carolina are made new in the Lord. I pray they are both in the arms of the Lord and with their dear family who have gone before them and someday we will all be together again.

Philippians 3:20-21 -

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.